Robert Joseph Bruyr of Pittsfield was born in Denver, Colo. on August 20, 1942, the son of son of Charles (born September 11, 1914 in Frontenac, Kan.; died February 18, 2009) and Dorothy Andre (born July 15, 1915 in Briggsdale, Colo.; died April 7, 2002) Bruyr of Pittsburg, Kan.
Robert grew up in cities and towns all across America, attending Valley Forge Military Academy, Boston University, and Cornell University, His stage management career spanned Broadway, Off-Broadway, Summer Stock, ballet, and opera, followed by decades of service at Actors’ Equity Association impacting stage managers’ representation in the industry.
After working for four years in various capacities at the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Mass., Robert joined Actors’ Equity and became the production stage manager at NSMT. He also apprenticed as a company manager under David Lawlor and Burry Fredrik. Other companies included Berkshire Theatre Festival in 1980 and 1981, Joffrey Ballet and New Jersey State Opera, along with working as a musical director and vocal coach. While a working stage manager, Robert joined the Equity Stage Manager’s Committee in 1968, becoming the first vice chair, and was subsequently elected to Council as an equity principal councilor. Later, as senior business representative, he became SM Committee staff, supervised Equity member disciplinary proceedings, and was Equity’s stage manager ombudsman.
Bob was the chief negotiator for seven national contracts, supervisor for Stock, Dinner Theatre, LORT, Cabaret, Guest Artist, and Developing Theatres Departments, and he developed the Small Professional Theatre Contract. Robert was the executive assistant for Communication and Education (ombudsman for AEA Stage Managers, liaison to the Stage Managers Association). Serving on numerous boards of directors, he was president of the Willard Swire Scholarship Fund, president of the Equity Library Theatre, president of the Hampden-Booth Theatre Library (at The Players Club in New York City), first vice president of Theatre Authority, secretary of the National Theatre Conference, and secretary of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association in Pittsfield.
Retiring in 2002, Robert is proudest of his honorary life memberships in the SMA, Actors’ Equity, and Actors’ Fund. Robert lived in the Berkshires for 22 years with his husband and partner of 48 years, author, stage director, and theater critic J. Peter Bergman. Death came on April 1, 2024, at 5:33 p.m., from complications resulting from respiratory failure due to his gastric difficulties of the previous 10 years.
Funeral services will be at Trinity Church in Lenox on Thursday, April 11, at 4 p.m., with a reception to follow.
